The conference organised by Brahmanbaria Madrasa Sikhkhak Parishad was held at the municipal auditorium with its convenor Mawlana Abdul Mattalib in chair.

A large number of police men were deployed at the meeting venue and in different areas of the town as Saidee's presence sparked tension.

The Sommilito Sangskritik Jote, joined by political activists tried to bring out a procession in the town yesterday protesting Saidee's presence but it was foiled by police.

The Jote also brought out processions and held rallies in the town earlier, calling upon the people to resist Saidee’s visit to the town. On Saturday, police snatched microphones form the protesters.

BNP MP Haroon-Al-Rashid, chairman of Bangladesh Red Crescent Society, was the special guest in the conference.

It was addressed by, among others Kamal Uddin Jafri, joint convener of central Madrasa Sikhkhok Parishad, its leaders Joynul Abdedin, and Gulam Sarwar Sayidee.

Addressing the meeting, Saidee said the August 17 bomb blasts were done by those who want to destabilise the government and create anarchy in the country. But the perpetrators are blaming the ulame (Muslim religious clerics) for this.

The government must punish the culprits, Saidee said.